U.S. patent application number 10/003598 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-26 for fluid shock absorber assembly.
Invention is credited to Kopp, Raun A..
Application Number | 20020134431 10/003598 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23064110 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020134431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kopp, Raun A. |
September 26, 2002 |
Fluid shock absorber assembly
Abstract
A fluid shock absorber assembly having a shut-off valve, a water
hammer arrester device and a water inlet. The assembly is comprised
of a low profile adaptor structure constructed and arranged to
permit the assembly to be mounted in a housing enclosure for
aligning and joining water lines to form washing machine and
icemaker connection structures. The housing enclosure which mounts
to a building structure is designed to further allow the fluid
shock absorber assembly components to be installed, maintained and
replaced therein.
Inventors: |
Kopp, Raun A.; (Brunswick,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Anthony G. Eggink
Anthony G. Eggink & Associates
3100 First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street
Saint Paul
MN
55101
US
|
Family ID: |
23064110 |
Appl. No.: |
10/003598 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60278208 |
Mar 23, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/360 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 55/052 20130101;
D06F 37/42 20130101; Y10T 137/3118 20150401; E03B 7/07 20130101;
Y10T 137/7043 20150401; Y10T 137/698 20150401; Y10T 137/7062
20150401; A47L 15/4217 20130101; D06F 39/088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/360 |
International
Class: |
F16L 005/00 |
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. A fluid shock absorber assembly comprising: a) a low profile
conduit structure having a top and bottom and terminating at each
end in aligned first and second top connector openings and a bottom
connector opening with a circumferential shoulder; b) a fluid shock
absorber means mounted for removal to said first top connector
opening; and c) valve means removably mounted to said second top
connector opening.
2. The fluid shock absorber assembly of claim 1, wherein said fluid
shock absorber means is a cylindrical structure having compressible
means captured therein.
3. The fluid shock absorber assembly of claim 1, wherein said valve
means has on/off means and a connector opening for communication
with a fluid line to an appliance.
4. The fluid shock absorber assembly of claim 1, wherein a
downwardly extending conduit portion extends from said
circumferential shoulder of said low profile conduit structure.
5. The fluid shock absorber assembly of claim 4, further comprising
a housing enclosure having a bottom with at least one aperture and
wherein said assembly is mounted within the cavity of said housing
enclosure with said circumferential shoulder engaging said bottom
panel and said downwardly extending conduit portion extending
through said at least one aperture.
6. The fluid shock absorber assembly of claim 5, wherein a second
assembly is mounted within said cavity of said enclosure and
further wherein said enclosure has a bottom panel having at least a
second aperture.
7. The fluid shock absorber assembly of claim 3, wherein said
connector opening of said valve structure is a compression
fitting.
8. The fluid shock absorber assembly of claim 1, wherein said low
profile conduit device is formed of a unitary metallic or plastic
structure and wherein said first and second connector top openings
and said bottom connector opening are threaded.
9. A plumbing fixture for connection to an appliance comprising: a)
an adapter structure having a unitary body with a first upwardly
extending connecting member, a second upwardly extending connection
member and a downwardly extending member, said adapter structure
further having a generally flattened conduit portion in
communication with said first and second upwardly extending
connecting members and said downwardly extending member; b) a valve
structure having fluid control means and being connected to said
first upwardly extending connecting member of said adapter
structure; and c) a water hammer arrester structure having a
generally cylindrical structure connected to said second upwardly
extending connecting member of said adapter structure.
10. The plumbing fixture of claim 9, wherein said first and second
upwardly extending connecting members of said adapter are
internally threaded and wherein said water hammer arrester
structure has an externally threaded bottom portion for threading
connection to said first connecting member and wherein said valve
structure has an externally threaded bottom portion for threading
connection to said second connecting member.
11. The plumbing fixture of claim 9, wherein said generally
flattened conduit portion of said adapter structure has a generally
flattened, oval cross-section.
12. The plumbing fixture of claim 9, further comprising an
enclosure structure having a bottom portion and an open frontal
area, said adapter structure being mounted to said bottom portion
of said enclosure whereby said water arrester structure and said
valve structure are accessible, removable and replaceable through
said frontal area of said enclosure structure.
13. The plumbing fixture of claim 12, wherein said enclosure
structure further has means to mount said enclosure to a building
component.
14. The plumbing fixture of claim 12, wherein two adapter
structures each having a water arrester structure and a valve
structure are mounted within said enclosure and further wherein
said downwardly extending member of one said plumbing fixture is
connected to a cold water source and wherein said downwardly
extending member of the other plumbing fixture is connected to a
hot water source.
15. The plumbing fixture of claim 12, wherein a drain aperture is
provided in said bottom portion of said enclosure.
16. The plumbing fixture of claim 12, wherein said enclosure
structure includes at least one raised portion extending upward
from said bottom portion of said enclosure structure and wherein
said adapter structure is mounted on said raised portion.
17. The plumbing fixture of claim 9, wherein said second upwardly
extending connecting member has a first diameter and wherein said
generally cylindrical structure of said water hammer arrester
structure has a second diameter and wherein said second diameter is
generally the same or less than said first diameter.
18. A plumbing fixture enclosure assembly comprising: a) a housing
having a bottom, a frontal opening and means to mount the housing
to a building structure, said bottom of said housing having at
least one aperture therethrough; b) an adapter fixture having a
unitary U-shaped formed body with two ends and a conduit portion
therebetween, said U-shaped body further having a first upwardly
extending connecting member at one end, a second upwardly extending
connecting member at the opposite end and a downwardly extending
conduit aligned with said first upwardly extending member; c) a
valve structure having a control lever and being connected to said
first upwardly extending connecting member of said adapter fixture;
and d) a water hammer arrester device connected to said second
upwardly extended connecting member of said adapter fixture.
19. The plumbing fixture enclosure assembly of claim 18, wherein
said bottom of said housing has a first aperture and wherein said
adapter fixture is mounted to said housing whereby said downwardly
extending conduit extends through said first aperture.
20. The plumbing fixture enclosure assembly of claim 19, wherein
said bottom of said housing has a second aperture and a third
aperture and further wherein a second adapter fixture is mounted to
said housing whereby said downwardly extending conduit of said
second adapter fixture extends through said second aperture, said
third aperture being adapted to receive a drain hose from a washing
machine.
21. The plumbing fixture enclosure assembly of claim 20, wherein
said housing has a raised bottom portion and wherein said first and
second apertures are disposed in said raised bottom portion.
22. The plumbing fixture enclosure assembly of claim 18, wherein
said conduit portion of said adapter fixture has a generally
flattened configuration and wherein said water hammer arrester
device is a generally cylindrical structure.
23. A plumbing fixture for connection to an appliance comprising a
generally Y-shaped low profile unitary adapter structure having a
top and bottom portion, a first and a second internally threaded
connector opening extending from said adapter structure top portion
and an externally threaded inlet conduit extending from said
adapter structure bottom portion, said adapter structure having a
generally flattened cross-sectional profile extending between said
first and second connector openings.
24. The plumbing fixture of claim 23, wherein an annular flange
with a generally flat bottom surface is provided on the bottom
portion of said adapter structure about said inlet conduit.
25. The plumbing fixture of claim 23, wherein said inlet conduit is
vertically aligned with said second connector opening.
26. The plumbing fixture of claim 23, wherein said first and second
connector openings are formed of a hexagonal configuration.
27. The plumbing fixture of claim 23, wherein a hammer arrester
device is mounted to said first connector opening and wherein a
valve structure is mounted to said second connector opening of said
adapter structure.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/278,208 filed on Feb. 23,2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a fluid shock absorber
assembly. Particularly, the invention relates to a water shock
absorber assembly comprising a low profile adapter structure having
a water hammer arrester device, valve means and a water inlet. The
assembly is constructed and arranged for mounting in a housing
enclosure for aligning and connecting water lines to form washing
machine and icemaker connection structures, for example. More
particularly, the invention provides a versatile shock absorber
plumbing fitting for water systems. The versatile plumbing fitting
comprises a low profile adapter structure having a water inlet,
valve means and a water hammer arrester device for mounting in a
housing for connection to appliances and having means to mount the
housing within a building wall, for example.
[0003] The fluid shock absorber assembly of the invention includes
a water hammer arrester device. Water hammer arrester devices are
constructed and arranged to absorb fluid forces that result when
fluid flow in a pipe is quickly abrupted, i.e., by a water shutoff
valve in a washing machine or icemaker, for example. Commonly
referred to as "hammering", pipe movement and resultant noises are
generated when fluid flow is abruptly stopped. Repeated "hammering"
is both aggravating to the homeowner and may damage water lines
over a period of time. As a result, plumbing codes have been
promulgated to require the utilization of water hammer arrester
devices in plumbing systems that are subject to the quick
interruption of water flow. For example, the International Plumbing
Code (IPC) as well as other plumbing codes require the use of water
hammer arrester devices in connection with quick closing valves
where water flow is rapidly abrupted, i.e., in connection with
washing machines.
[0004] A water hammer arrester device is typically constructed of a
cylinder and piston arrangement in communication with a water line.
A compressible fluid, such as a gas, is trapped between the piston
and the cylinder end to create a pressure chamber so that forces
directed to the piston are absorbed as the piston compresses the
gas within the cylinder. Water hammer arrester devices are
incorporated in the plumbing fixture enclosure assemblies of the
present invention. The adapter structure of the invention permits
the water hammer arrester devices to be mounted adjacent and in
proximity to the valve structure. This proximate mounting of the
arrester to the valve has been found to be most effective in
dealing with water shock that results in water hammering.
[0005] Although water hammer arresters are known in connection with
water lines, the installation and use of these devices have been
time consuming and limited. The assemblies of the present invention
overcome these difficulties and limitations by providing ease and
versatility in installation, use and maintenance.
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a fluid shock
absorber assembly which utilizes a low profile adapter structure
having means to replacably receive a water hammer arrester device,
a shut off valve and which has means to connect the assembly to a
water supply line.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a fluid
shock absorber assembly utilizing water arrester devices which meet
the requirements of ASSE 1010 and ANSI A 111.26.1M.
[0008] It is another object to provide an economical and effective
water shock absorber assembly which is versatile in use and easy to
install.
[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide a fluid
shock absorber assembly which may be mounted in a housing to form
connecting boxes for washing machines and ice makers, for
example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The fluid shock absorber assembly of the invention comprises
a low profile adapter having a water inlet, a water hammer arrester
device and a valve structure mounted thereto. The assembly is
constructed and arranged for mounting within a housing enclosure
whereby various water lines may be connected and the water hammer
arrester devices and valve structures may be easily replaced within
the housing cavity.
[0011] Plumbing fixture enclosure assemblies are further provided
utilizing the fluid shock absorber assembly of the invention. The
enclosure assemblies comprise housing enclosure structures with
openings to provide access for the connection and replacement of
the fluid shock absorber assemblies. The housing structures have
means to mount the housing enclosures to building structures, such
as between vertical wall studs. Various enclosure assembly
embodiments are constructed and arranged to form washing machine
and icemaker connection structures or outlet boxes.
[0012] Further provided by the invention are enclosure assemblies
which have raised bottom portions which are constructed and
arranged to funnel any water or drainage into the drain portion
positioned in the bottom panel of the housing.
[0013] In summary, enclosure assemblies are provided which are
mountable within a wall and constructed and arranged to align and
join with water lines and drain lines within the wall of a building
structure and which allows easy access to the fluid shock absorber
and valve assemblies in the housing enclosure for connection and
operation with the water and drain lines of a washing machine or
icemaker, for example.
[0014] These and other benefits of this invention will become
apparent from the following description by reference to the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the fluid shock absorber
assembly of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the low profile adapter
structure of the assemblies of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the adapter structure of
FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front plan view showing an embodiment of a
plumbing fixture enclosure assembly utilizing the fluid shock
absorber assembly of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a sectional top view of the plumbing fixture
enclosure assembly of FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the plumbing fixture
enclosure assembly of FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a front plan view showing another embodiment of
the plumbing fixture enclosure assembly of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a sectional top view of the assembly of FIG.
7;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a front plan view showing another embodiment of
the plumbing fixture enclosure assembly of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a front plan view showing another embodiment of
the plumbing fixture enclosure assembly of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a front plan view showing another embodiment of
the plumbing fixture enclosure assembly of the invention; and
[0026] FIG. 12 is a sectional top view of the assembly of FIG.
11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, the fluid shock absorber assembly 10 of
the present invention is shown. The assembly 10 is shown comprised
of an adapter structure 11 having a body structure 12, a first
connecting member 13 and a second connecting member 14, a conduit
portion 15 and a downwardly extending connecting member 16. A water
hammer arrester device 20 is shown having a cylindrical body 21 and
a base 22. The water hammer device 20 has means, i.e., threads, to
connect the body 21 to the first connecting member 13 of the
adapter structure 11. For example, a pair of wrenches may be used
to engage the first connecting member 13 and the base 22 of
arrester device 20, respectively, to threadingly secure the
arrester device 20 to the adapter structure 11. A valve assembly 23
having an operating lever 24 and hose connector 25 is shown
connected to the second connecting member 14 of the adapter
structure 11. It is within the purview of the present invention to
utilize and incorporate other valve means in the fluid shock
absorbing assemblies of the present invention. The downwardly
extending member 16 is preferably vertically aligned with the
second connecting member 14 to form a Y-shaped body, although other
structures may be utilized.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the adapter structure 11 is shown to
have a unitary body 12, a first connecting member 13 and a second
connecting member 14, both preferably being internally threaded.
The first connecting member 13 is shown in FIG. 1 to be the
connection for the water hammer arrester 20 and the second
connecting member 14 is shown to be the connection for the valve 23
assembly. The connecting conduit 15 is shown to have a low profile
configuration which permits the adapter structure 11 to have a
lower overall height and thereby reducing the height requirement of
the housing enclosure within which the fluid shock absorber
assembly 10 is mounted.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting conduit 15 of adapter
structure 11 is shown to have a flattened or oval cross-section.
The adapter structure 11 further has a water supply connection 16
with peripheral flange 18 and a second connector member 14 for
receiving the water hammer arrester 20. The water supply connection
16 is shown to be a conduit having means for connection, such as
exterior threads 17, to a water supply pipe or conduit. The
utilization of the low profile adapter body structure 12 permits
the valve structures and water hammer arresters to be mounted and
replaced within a housing enclosure, as will be further
described.
[0030] The water hammer arrester devices 20 herein are shown to
have generally cylindrical body structures 21 having a bottom
connection portion which secures the device 20 to the adapter body
12. The devices 20 have an internal piston which has a pressure
chamber thereabove for equalizing the vibration forces generated
when the water line extending from the adjacent valve is abruptly
shut off. The arrester device 20 preferably has a low height which
in combination with the low profile adapter structure 11 permits
the various elements to be installed and replaced within a housing
enclosure having predetermined dimensions. Although water hammer
arrester devices having a movable piston and compressible fluid
chambers are described herein, other fluid shock absorbing devices
may be utilized in the assemblies of the present invention.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, a washing machine outlet assembly 30
is shown. The assembly 30 is shown comprised of an enclosure or
housing structure 26 having means for mounting to a building
structure, such as a wall stud. The housing 26, preferably
constructed of a molded plastic, for example, forms an enclosure
having an internal cavity, a front opening and apertures in the
bottom panel 27 to align and connect plumbing fixtures to water
supply lines and to a drainpipe. As shown, an offset or raised
portion 28 is molded as part of the bottom panel 27 for connecting
plumbing fixtures to hot and cold water supply lines. A drainpipe
portion 31 is shown extending from the bottom panel 27 adjacent the
raised portion 28 of the housing 26. The drainpipe portion 31 is
adapted to receive the hooked end of the drain conduit or hose
extending from a washing machine. The fluid shock absorber
assemblies 10 are shown mounted on the raised bottom portion 28 and
are comprised of a pair of adapter structures 11 having hot and
cold water outlet connections 19 and 29, respectively, for
attachment to the washing machine. The pair of assemblies 10 are
shown mounted on the raised portion 28 whereby the peripheral
flange 18 of the adapter body 12 makes contact with the top surface
of raised portion 28. A threaded locking nut (not shown) or like
tightening member, may be threaded onto the exterior threads 17 of
the downward extending water inlet member 16 to secure the assembly
10 within the housing enclosure 26.
[0032] The assemblies 10 are further shown to have valve means 23,
i.e., on/off ball valves to control and shut off the flow of hot
and cold water from the supply lines to the washing machine. The
valve structures 23 are shown to have hose thread connectors 25 for
connecting to the water supply hose ends, which extend from the
washing machine. The hose thread connectors 25 are preferably
removable from the valve structure 23, for example, by means of an
internally formed hexagonal portion adapted for engagement by a
tool, such as an Allen wrench. Thus, various water line connector
members may be used with the valve structures mounted on the
adapters 11 of the invention. In communication and adjacent to the
hot and cold water valves are water hammer arresters 20 mounted to
each adapter structure 11.
[0033] As particularly shown in FIG. 5, the fluid shock absorber
assembly 10 is shown mounted on platform 28 at an angle "x" with
respect to the rear wall of enclosure 26. This angled mounting
configuration provides space economy of the placement of the
assembly 10 in the housing 26. The angle "x" is shown to be an
acute angle and is preferably approximately 25 degrees. Further,
the internal threading of the first and second connecting members
13 and 14 is arranged so that the hose connector 25 of the valve
assembly 23 faces outward perpendicularly to the rear wall of the
rectangular housing 26 to provide easy connecting access. Although
the valve assemblies 23 are preferably shown mounted to the second
connecting member 14 which is vertically aligned with water inlet
16, other mounting arrangements may be utilized within the purview
of the present invention. Depending upon housing enclosure
configuration for example, the valve means and water hammer
arrester devices may be mounted to either the first and second
connecting members. Thus, preferably both internal thread
configurations of connecting members 13 and 14 will provide an
outward valve connection position, as shown, when the valve
assembly is tightened into the adapter structure body.
[0034] The housing structures shown and described herein preferably
have mounting means to connect the housing structures within the
walls of a building. For example, the housing may have slots or
connected slot structures adapted to receive a strap which extends
or spans between adjacent wall studs, i.e., 16 inches apart, and
which are fastened by nails or screws to the studs. Other fastening
or mounting means known in the art may also be utilized to align
and secure the enclosure assemblies of this invention within or to
the wall of a building.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, an icemaker outlet box assembly
35 is shown. The plumbing fixture enclosure assembly 35 is shown to
have an enclosure or housing structure 36 for mounting a fluid
shock absorber assembly 10 to the raised portion 38 on bottom panel
37 of the housing 36 and for connection to a water supply line. The
assembly 10 further includes a valve 23 with an on/off lever 24 and
a water connection member 39 for communication to the water conduit
extending to the icemaker. The water connection member 39 is shown
comprised of a compression nut fitting, i.e., 1/2 inch, for
connecting a {fraction (1/4)} inch or a 3/8 inch water supply tube
which extends to the icemaker assembly, however, the compression
nut may be of any desired size and adapted to receive any desired
supply tube diameter.
[0036] FIG. 9 shows another washing machine outlet connection box
40 and which has two drain conduits 45 and 46 extending from the
bottom panel 42 of the enclosure 41. Depending upon the
configuration of the water supply lines and the drain of the
building, the assemblies 10 and the drain may be configured to
match and align with the existing plumbing configuration of the
building. The fluid shock absorber assemblies 10 are shown mounted
to raised portions 43 and 44 and whereby the water hammer devices
20 are angled rearwardly at an acute angle with respect to the
front and rear of the housing enclosure 41.
[0037] FIG. 10 shows a washing machine outlet connection box 50
wherein the hot and cold water supply lines are shown connected at
the bottom corners of the enclosure 51 and positioned respectively
on raised or offset bottom portions 52 and 53, respectively. The
drain conduit 54 is shown positioned between the opposing raised
bottom portions 52 and 53 and is positioned generally in the center
of the bottom panel 49.
[0038] FIGS. 11 and 12 show another washing machine outlet
connection enclosure 55 having the hot and cold water supply
connections at one side of the bottom panel 60 and mounted on a
raised bottom portion 57. The bottom portion 57 is further shown to
have a pair of drain conduits 58 and 59, which in FIG. 11 are shown
to funnel into a single drain outlet. The pair of fluid shock
absorber assemblies 10 are shown mounted on raised portion 57
whereby the adapter structure 11 is positioned at an acute angle,
as particularly shown in FIG. 12.
[0039] The housing enclosures 26 (FIG. 4), 36 (FIG. 7), 41 (FIG.
9), 51 (FIG. 10) and 56 (FIG. 11) having dimensions, i.e., width,
height and depth which permit the adapter structures 11 to be
positioned and mounted on the respective bottom panels or platforms
of the enclosures. Thereafter, the water hammer devices 20 and
valve assemblies 23 may be connected and/or removed and replaced
within the housing enclosure. For example, one embodiment of the
adapter structure 11 with {fraction (3/4)}" diameter top and bottom
connectors and a width of approximately 2 1/2 inch, a height of
approximately 1 1/4 inches and a bottom extension 16 having a
length of approximately 2 inches, may be used in a housing
enclosure (i.e., enclosures 26, 41, 51 and 56) having a width of
approximately 8-10.5 inches, a height of approximately 6.6-7.7
inches and a depth of approximately 3.5-3.7 inches. The latter
exemplary dimensions permit the adapter structures to be installed
into the housing and to be utilized with water hammer arrester
devices having a height of approximately 4.5 inches and a valve
assembly having a height of approximately 2.0 inches.
[0040] The use and placement of the fluid shock absorber assemblies
of the present invention in the housing enclosures shown in FIGS.
4-12 are exemplary. The fluid shock absorber assemblies of the
invention may be utilized in a variety of settings to reduce the
effects of water hammering.
[0041] As many changes are possible to the plumbing fixture
embodiments of this invention, utilizing the teachings thereof, the
description above and the accompanying drawings should be
interpreted in the illustrative and not the limited sense.
* * * * *